SEATTLE NEWS ARCHIVES & FEATURES

Dori: Washington carbon tax is about money, not science

Jul 10, 2018, 7:00 AM

Initiative 732, I-732, carbon tax, carbon fee, climate change, cap-and-invest, climate...

The Tesoro Corp. refinery, in Anacortes, Wash. Gas flares like this are part of normal plant operations. (AP)

(AP)

The governor has been trying for years to jack up your cost of living with a carbon tax. Now there is an initiative on the ballot that would make your gas costs skyrocket.

They say that they would impose “carbon fees” on the polluters in our state. The measure would raise billions of dollars, which would all be passed along to you and me, the taxpayers. We already pay the second-highest gas tax in the United States of America, but they want more. They say that it’s not a tax, it’s a “fee” — but we’re getting our language back, and we know that this is nothing but a tax.

It will make it more expensive to heat your home and fuel your car. And all for what is undeniably a bogus cause — the role that you and I play in global warming. I know that makes people’s heads explode when I say that. But I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life. On this matter, I’m positive that I’m more realistic and honest than all of the scientists who talk about climate change.

RELATED: Dori says Mayor Durkan uses climate change to take your money

Here’s what I want you to think about. How long have internal combustion engines been a thing in our country — to any extent to where they could have any impact? Let’s be generous and say since the 1920s. If you know anything about the automotive and societal trends, we’re going to have mostly electric vehicles in the next 10 to 20 years. So let’s say that 1920 to 2040 is the window where cars are polluting the atmosphere. This is where I’d love to take on the climate change scientists. That’s 120 years. How old is Earth? The best estimate is 4.5 billion years. That period of cars represents one 45-millionth of the lifespan of this planet.

Look at the volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii. Think about the trillions of cows that have been farting since the beginning of cows. Think about the Ring of Fire volcanoes. And you’re telling me that a technology that represents a 45-millionth of our planet’s lifespan is worth taxing you and me billions of dollars here in Washington? It’s insane.

This is just about transferring billions of dollars from the private sector to government control. And the scientists are either wrong, stupid, or the part of the conspiracy.

Associated Press

Hurricane Nolo expected to unleash powerful winds, flash flooding on Hawaii

HILO, Hawaii (AP) — Heavy rain and powerful winds are expected to bring flash floods and extreme surf to the Hawaiian Islands over the weekend as Hurricane Nolo bears down on areas still recovering from previous storms. Nolo was churning slowly south of Hawaii’s Big Island on Saturday with maximum sustained winds of 105 mph […]

1 hour ago

A "Do Not Enter" sign is pictured on the fence at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Art...

Associated Press

Kennedy Center put off planned repairs despite known structural issues, former employees allege

Kennedy Center officials were long aware of serious structural issues that they cited as new problems after the abrupt decision to close the performing arts venue this month, a group of former employees allege in a letter to Congress. The center’s executive director and chief operating officer, Matt Floca, did not treat the roofing issues […]

2 hours ago

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations Gener...

Associated Press

German, Russian foreign ministers have rare meeting at UN

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The German and Russian foreign ministers met Saturday on the sidelines of the U.N. General Assembly, holding what’s believed to be the first such tête-à-tête since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. The meeting came as tensions between the European Union and Russia rose — and just before Russian Foreign […]

2 hours ago

President Donald Trump disembarks Air Force one at McGhee Tyson Airport, Saturday, Sept. 26, 2026, ...

Associated Press

CNN says it was left off Air Force One for Trump’s Saturday trip to a college football game

The White House left CNN off Air Force One for President Donald Trump’s trip Saturday to a college football game in Tennessee, marking the latest media restriction from the administration in an ongoing dispute with First Amendment implications. CNN, a member of the U.S. network video pool that rotates duties shooting and sharing video coverage […]

4 hours ago

Palau's President Surangel Whipps Jr. speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General ...

Associated Press

‘We’re not giving up’: Beset by climate change, island nations act as conscience of a warming world

UNITED NATIONS (AP) — When Palau President Surangel Samuel Whipps Jr. recently took his children to his nation’s Helen Island, two-thirds of it was gone. Rising seas caused by climate change had swallowed generational burial grounds, washing away a people’s entire culture and identity. “For us, it’s devastating,” Whipps told The Associated Press on Friday, […]

4 hours ago

Chinese Vice President Han Zheng speaks during the 81st session of the United Nations General Assem...

Associated Press

China, as usual, uses UN speech to promote global development as solution to world’s challenges

NEW YORK (AP) — A day after his boss met with President Donald Trump in Washington, China’s vice president unfurled the nation’s familiar list of global talking points, emphasizing development, issuing mild statements about the U.S. war with Iran, artificial intelligence and protectionism, and making no direct mention of Taiwan. Han Zheng’s speech to the […]

5 hours ago

Dori: Washington carbon tax is about money, not science